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bliSAN'S FINISH 



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Susan's Finish 



A Comedy in One Act 



By 
ALICE C. THOMPSON 

Author of '■'•Just Like Percy" '■'■ Romantic Mary^ 

'■'"Oysters" '■'•An Auction at Meadowvale" 

'■'■The Truth About Jane^' etc. 



BOSTON 
WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 



Susan's Finish -Z^~TS^ 



CHARACTERS 

Emily Clarke. 

Stella Clarke, her sister. 

Mary James '\ 

Maud Sinclair V their friends. 

Violet Love ) 

Rose Clarke, the country cousin. 

Susan, the maid. 

Time : — The present, an afternoon in early summer. 



PROPERTIES 

Six cups and saucers, bread and butter on plate, a photo- 
graph, a pie, teapot and cream pitcher, an old patchwork 
quilt tied up in brown paper, a pencil and paper, a basket. 




Copyright, 1909, by V/alter H. Baker & Co. 
©C:.D 1.7J7' 



Susan's Finish 



SCENE. — Sitting-roojn in the home of Emily Clarke and 
Stella Clarke. At r. c. ati armchair atid sitiall tea-table 
with six cups and saucers ; at L. c. a sofa and three chairs. 
Entrances at c. and dozvn l. Window at r. c. 

{The curtain rises to discover Stella, tvho arranges cups 
and saucers on table at ^. c.) 

Enter Emily at l. 

Emily. There ! I knew it would happen sooner or later. 
But why should she choose to-day of all days ? 

{CojJies down C.) 

Stella. What's the matter ? 

Emily. Susan is going back to the country. 

Stella. Back to the ancestral home. [Laughs.) Why, 
she's said that for years. 

Emily. Yes, but now she's looking up her train. She says 
she's homesick for a sight of green fields. I went into the 
kitchen to ask her to make a hot gingerbread cake and she just 
turned up her nose and said she was going back to where hot 
gingerbread wasn't expected of her in the middle of the after- 
noon. 

Stella. Just an excuse. Wait until we see her go. Don't 
worry. 

Emily. That's all very well, Stella. You always take 
things easily; I can't. And the girls coming in to tea to 
arrange about the club 

Stella. Yes, I know. There's Violet now. 

Ejiter Violet Love at c. , wearing hat. 

Violet. How do you do, Emily? Hello, Stella; I see 
I'm the first. 



4 SUSAN S FINISH 

Emily. Yes, you're on time, Violet. Is Maud coming ? 

Violet. Yes, and Mary. I met them down-town this 
morning. (Si^s dowuy Emily near her.) 

Susan (outside, l., calling loudly). Miss Stella! 

Stella. Bother Susan ! She's been with us fifteen years, 
and every May she gets an attack of country fever. It's noth- 
ing but tantrums, really. I'll settle her. \^Exit at L. 

Violet. Do you know, 1 don't blame Susan. She came 
from your grandfather's place, didn't she? 

Emily. Yes, she lived with my grandfather for years. 

Violet. On that lovely old farm at Willowdale. I've 
heard Susan tell all about it. They have about fifty rooms, 
haven't they? 

Emily. Oh, yes, it's an immense place; the finest in the 
country, I believe. Ah, here are Maud and Mary. 

(j^ises as Maud Sinclair and Mary James enter at c, 
wearing pretty summer costumes and hats.) 

Mary. Better late than never. Hello, Violet. 

Maud. Violet on time ! Wonderful ! And where's Stella? 

Emily. She'll be here in a minute. (Voices are heard 
without, at l. Emily glances uneasily at door and speaks in a 
Joud whisper.) She's having her annual talk with Susan. 

(All sit.) 

Mary. Oh, yes, I know. And is she really going back to 
the farm ? 

Emily. She says so. Our humble city flat grows irksome, 
and Susan's thoughts are straying to the big rooms and the 
green fields of Willowdale, not to mention the cream, chickens 
and ripe strawberries. 

Maud. It must be a lovely place. But you have never 
seen it, have you, Emily ? 

Emily. Never, though I've had invitations from my Cousin 
Rose to visit. 

Mary. Your Cousin Rose. She's just about eighteen, isn't 
she, and has never been to the city ? 

Emily. I don't even know her. 

(Stella and Susan enter together at l., both talking at 
once. Susan has gray hair, stoops slightly and wears 
spectacles. She carries bread and butter on a plate.) 



SUSAN S FINISH 5 

Stella {eagerly). Yes, Susan, I'll plant a whole cupful of 
scarlet runner beans in the kitchen window-box, and you can 
raise mint and parsley and onions on the roof. Onions, Susan ! 
Then you'll imagine you're back at VVillowdale. 

Susan {scornfully). Onions on the roof ! And beans in a 
box ! Me, that's seen whole acres of garden stuff and rose 
bushes as high as a chestnut tree. 

Stella. Whew ! 

Susan. A' most as high as a tree, anyways. 

{Pats plate on table.) 

Maud. Good-afternoon, Susan. 

Susan. Good-day to you, young ladies. 

Mary {sympathetically). 1 can feel for you, Susan, indeed 
I can. To any one who has lived in the country 

Susan. Yes, miss, it's pretty hard to come down to a little 
city flat. 

Stella {airily). Up, Susan, up. We're on the top floor. 

Susan. Yes, miss, seven stories away from the ground. 
Oh, when I think of VVillowdale, my heart is fit to bust. The 
flowers we had, and the vines trailin' over the big piazzy where 
I used to sit, takin' me ease. 

Violet. But don't people work hard on a farm? And a 
farmhouse with fifty rooms, too. 

Susan. Did 1 say fifty rooms? Well, a'most fifty. But 
with five hired girls and the men-folk, we got along. 

Mary. Five girls, and fifty rooms ! What a grand farm. 

Susan. You may well say so, miss. And the grand bed- 
room I had. I can just see it now, with an elegant view out 
of the winder of the lake with real swans floating about on top. 
And me lace curtains, and the beautiful quilt on me bed, all 
embroidered with pink silk and bows of sating ribbon. 

Maud. It sounds like a baby's carriage rug. 

Susan. Oh, them was the good old days ! 

{Goes to i..y tviping eyes on a pi- on.) 

Emily. Will you make the tea for us — before you go ? 

Stella {with mock pathos). ]y\?,\. once more, 'insSiW. 

Susan. I'll see if 1 have time. {Grimly.) I've got me 
trunk packed. I'm going back to Willowdale. \^Exit. 

Emily. Now, what do you think of it, Stella? 

Stella. I don't know. Perhaps she wants to be coaxed 
to stay. 



6 Susan's finish 

Emily. Coaxed ! Didn't you bribe her with flowers in the 
kitchen and onions on the roof 

Maud. One would think the onions, at least, would have 
brought tears to her eyes. 

(Mary goes to window.') 

Stella. I can't think yet that she means it. We couldn't 
get along without Susan. 

Emily. Indeed, we couldn't. Willowdale has cast a glamour 
over her. It must be very beautiful, of course, but I wish 
something would happen that would put it out of her mind 
forever. 

Mary. There's a funny old farmer's wagon down in the 
street, and a girl in a sunbonnet. They're stopping 

Maud. Wouldn't you love to see Susan's pink embroidered 
quilt ? 

Violet. Oh, wouldn't I ? 

Emily. Well, we haven't discussed our club yet. 

Mary. The girl in the sunbonnet is coming into this apart- 
ment house. 

Stella. Probably selling eggs and butter. Come and give 
us your ideas, Mary. 

( Takes her hand and they go to c. , where all sit down in a 
semicircle ; Emily with pencil and paper in her hatid.) 

Emily. First, what shall we call our club ? 

Maud. The Fluffy Ruffles. 

Emily. No, that's too frivolous. You know we meet for 
study. 

Maud. Nature study — birds, bugs, beans, and bees. 

Violet, How would the Earnest Endeavor club do? 

Stella. No, that's much too serious. Remember we also 
meet for amusement, probably picnics. 

Mary. Let's put it to the vote. 

Maud. How do you vote ? 

Emily. I'll tell you. Oh, here's Susan. 

Enter Susan at l., carrying a teapot. 

Maud. Oh, bother Susan ! 

Susan. I've made the tea extra good. Miss Emily, for it's 
terrible to think it's the last time I'll make tea for you. 



SUSAN S FINISH 7 

{Puts teapot on table and sniffles.') 

Stella. It is terrible. Oh, Susan, how have you the heart 
to leave us? And you didn't even make us a cake. 

Emily. The cream, Susan ; you've forgotten the cream. 

Susan. I'll get it, miss — before I go. \Exit at L. 

Emily. Now I hope we'll have no more interruptions for a 
wiiile. {A knock at C.) 

Maud. That must be Susan's cab. 

(Emily rises and opens door to Rose Clarke.) 

Mary. The butter and egg girl ! 
Rose. Does Miss Emily Clarke live here ? 
Emily. I am Emily Clarke. 
Rose {t-apturously). Cousin ! 

{Throws her arms around Emily's neck and kisses her.') 

Emily {retreating). Cousin! Why, who are you ? 

Rose. I am Rose Clarke, from VVillowdale. May I 
come in ? 

Emily. Cousin Rose ! Oh, do come in. How ever did 
you find us ? I — I am delighted to meet you. 

(Rose enters. She wears a simple gingham dress and a 
sunbonnet ; carries a broivti paper bundle in one arm and 
a coujitry basket in other hand.) 

Rose. Where is Stella ? (Stella rises. Rose drops her 
bundle and basket and embraces her, the other girls staring.) 
Dear Cousin Stella ! How often I've longed to meet you both ! 
{Picks up bundle and basket.) And so this morning when Dan 
said he was coming to the city with a load of potatoes, I begged 
father to let me come along, and here I am. 

{Pushes sufibotmet back.) 

Stella. It's such a surprise — such a nice surprise. These 
are our friends. Please let me introduce you informally, girls. 
This is Violet Love, Mary James and Maud Sinclair. 

( The girls rise. ) 

Rose. How are you ? Pleased to meet you. 

Violet. How do you like the city ? 

Rose. Oh, it's wonderful ! I've seen such strange sights. 



8 Susan's finish 

And I've been shopping. I love to shop. I've got a new best 
dress J it's white nun's veiling embroidered with pink and 
trimmed with bows of satin ribbon. 

Maud. Just hke Susan's bed quilt ! 

Emily {Jiastily). Let me take your basket. 

Rose. Oh, wait a minute ! There's something in it for 
you. {Takes out a pie and presents it with great satisfaction.') 
There, I made it myself. 

Emily. How good of you, Cousin Rose ! Thank you so 
much. {Puts pie on table atid offers chair to Rose.) Won't 
you sit down ? 

(Rose sits with basket and bufidle on lap ; all the others sit 
around.') 

Maud. Now do tell us all about your lovely country home. 

Violet. Oh, yes, please. We do like to hear about the 
beautiful old colonial house with its fifty rooms, its big 
piazzas 

Rose {with a little gasp). Fifty rooms ! 

Stella. " A'most fifty," don't you remember? 

Violet. And all the horses and cows and sheep and tur- 
keys and 

Rose. Oh, you've made a mistake, I'm sure. 

Violet. Oh, don't tell me you haven't got swans on the 
lake any longer ! 

Rose. Swans on the lake ! Turkeys and sheep ! Why, 
where did you get your ideas of Willowdale ? It sounds like 
the picture on a birthday card. 

Mary. What, no swans ? 

Rose. I never saw a swan in my life. 

Maud. And you haven't twenty-five horses? 

Rose. Twenty-five horses ! My goodness, do you think 
we run a horse fair ? 

Emily. How disappointing ! We were led to believe it an 
ideal place. 

Stella. But life on a farm must be beautiful. 

Rose. It's a hard-working life. Just look at jny hands, 
and yours are so soft and white. 

Violet {shocked). But _y^« don't do farm work? 

Rose. Oh, yes. I'm up at five in summer every morning. 

Maud. What for ? 

Rose. To get things done. 



SUSAN S FINISH 9 

Emily. What on earth do you do, Rose? 

Rose. Everything. Bake bread, sweep, feed the chickens, 
sometimes milk the cow. 

Stella (i7//77/y). 7%^ cow? What cow? 

Rose {jvith dignity). Our cow. She's called Betsy. 

Stella. Betsy ! Oh, my ! 

Emily. But you've got a hundred cows, haven't you? 

^o^^ {laughing). A hundred cows ? Why, do you think 
we keep a dairy ? 

Stella. Do give us some tea, Emily. 

(Emily rises and goes to table and pours tea. I^Ia^y passes 
bread. Rose////^ basket and bundle on floor.) 

Rose {taking bread). Oh, thank you. It is so kind of you 
to ask me to supper. 

Mary. Oh, this is only afternoon tea. 
Rose. We might have the pie. 

{The ^irls look at one atiother.) 

Stella {gaily). Yes, certainly we'll have the pie. I'll cut 
it, {Goes to table.) This is quite original. 

Maud. Pie for afternoon tea ? I should say so 1 

Rose. Traveling makes you hungry. 

Mary. Traveling— oh, I see. How far is it to Willow- 
dale? 

Rose {impressively). Sixteen miles. 

Emily. There's no cream. Susan has forgotten it. 

Stella. I'll call her. {Goes to l.) Susan ! 

Rose. Oh, is that tiie same Susan who used to live at Wil- 
lowdale when our fathers were boys ? 

Stella. It is the same Susan. {Calls.) 

Rose. I'm so anxious to see her. Father often speaks of 
her. She was a wonder ; she did the work of ten women. 

Emily. Susan did ! Then what did the five other hired 
girls do? 

Rose, Five hired girls ? What fairy stories ! There was 
never any one but Susan. 

Enter Susan at l., carrying a little cream pitcher. She wears 
an old bonnet. 

Susan. Here's the cream, miss, or what they call cream 
here. At Willowdale we got better milk from our Jerseys. 



10 SUSAN S FINISH 

(Rose rises.) 

Rose. Susan! (^Goes to her.) How do you do, Susan? 
I've heard so much about you. I'm Rose Clarke. 
Susan. Not Mr. Tom's daughter ! 
Rose. Yes. 
Susan. Oh, but I'm glad to see you, miss. 

(Rose lakes her hatids.) 

Rose. I just feel as if I'd always known you, Susan. And 
I've wanted so much to meet you, to thank you. I know all 
you've done for father and grandfather too. (^Vigorously.) 
You worked like a slave. 

Susan {indignatitly). Me, a slave ! 

Rose. I mean you worked so hard. Oh, Susan, have you 
forgotten the old place ? 

Susan. Not me, miss. 

Emily. She's going back. 

Rose. Going back ? When ? 

Stella {promptly). To-day. 

Rose. Then you can come with me. 

Emily. On the wagon, Susan. 

Rose. Oh, I'm afraid the farm will seem a very humble 
place after these grand city apartments. 

Susan {trying to escape). I'll — get my bag, miss. 

Rose {holding her). Oh, Susan, do you remember the old 
cellar steps you fell down once? Well, we've had new steps 
put in. 

Susan. It was about time. Them was the rickettyest, 
mouldiest old stairs that ever tripped a decent woman up. 
{Suddenly recollecting.) I'm — I'm in a hurry, please. 

Emily. There's lots of time. You're going to ride in a 
wagon all the way. 

Rose. And do you remember the little attic where you 
used to sleep? And the wicked little bed that used to fall to 
pieces every other night? {Laughs gaily.) Poor Susan ! how 
you must have come down — thinnp ! 

Stella. With the pink and white embroidered quilt on 
top. 

Susan {very uncomfortable'). Let me go, miss, let me go. 

Rose. Susan, I've brought you a present. {Drops her 
hands. Susan rushes out at l.) What's the matter? What 
have 1 done ? Have I made a mistake ? 



SUSAN S FINISH II 

Emily. No, Rose, but we've found Susan out. 
Stella (^taking Rose's hand). Oh, I'm glad, I'm so glad 
you came. Cousin Rose. (^Laughs.') 

(Rose drops into a c/iair.') 

Rose. There's a photograph in that basket for you, Emily, 

(Emily gets photo.) 

Emily. What is it ? 
. Rose. Can't you guess? 
Emily. It's a barn. 

(Maud looks over her shoulder.^ 

Maud. No, it's a wood-shed. 

Rose. You're both wrong. It's the farmhouse. 

( The photo is passed round. ) 

Stella. Willowdale Farm. Never ! 

Emily. I suppose — you're very fond of it, Rose. 

Rose, I am. It's a simple, plain old farmhouse, but it's 
honie to me. Oh, I wish you could see our flower garden 
and the orchard and the little creek. Won't you all come out 
and spend the day? 

Violet. I'll be delighted. 

Mary. And so shall I. 

Maud. We'll all come together — the nature study club ; 
and Rose will help us. (Rose rises.) 

Rose. I must go now. Dan is waiting. Will you ask 
Susan if she is ready? (Kosk picks up her basket and ties on 
sunbonnet.) Oh, I am afraid I'll never be anything but a 
country girl. 

Emily. We like you best that way. 

Enter Susan without bonjiet. 

Stella. Aren't you ready, Susan ? 

Susan. Oh, miss — I think it would be better for me to go 

by train. I'm not so young as I used to be and the wagon 

I could get a train later, I guess. 

Rose. Oh, yes. There's one at four thirty, and another at 
five, and one at five-thirty. Which one shall I expect you on ? 

Susan. I'm — I'm not quite ready. 

Emily. Do you know this picture, Susan ? 



li susan's finish 

{Shows photo ; Rose imlies bundle.') 

Susan {eagerly). It's the farm, the dear little old place! 
As natural as life ! 

Rose. And here's a little present for you. 

{^Gives her a patchwork quilt. ^ 

Susan. My old patchwork quilt. The same that covered 
me many a weary night. {J^ngs it to her.^ 

Maud. It's warmer than pink satin and lace, isn't it*, 
Susan ? 

Susan. Oh, but I'm a foolish, wicked old woman that's 
been spinning yarns to make you think how grand I've been. 
I guess I won't go back. 

Rose. You won't go back? 

Susan. I'll think it over. 

Emily. Yes, think it over for another year, Susan. We'd 
miss you. 

Susan. I'll go and make you a hot gingerbread loaf for 
supper. \_Exit at l. with quilt over arm. 

Rose. Then good-bye. I'll see you all soon at Willowdale. 

Stella. Good-bye, Rose. 

Emily. Good-bye. [^Exit Rose. 

Violet. ") 

Maud, v Good-bye, Rose. 

Mary. ) 

{^The three girls run to the 7vindow ; Emily and Stella 
at c.) 

Stella. Our country cousin's visit has had some effect. 

Emily. But what a disenchantment ! One cow called 
Betsy 

Stella. The swans, sheep and turkeys conspicuous by 
their absence. 

Emily. Oh, Susan, Susan ! 

{The girls at the windotu 7vave their hands.") 

Violet. She's looking up. 

Maud. Good-bye, Rose — little country Rose. 

Enter Susan stealthily at l. 



SUSAN S UNISH 



^3 



Susan. Has she gone ? 
Emily. Yes, Susan. 
Susan. Wagon and all ? 

{The girls hirnfrom the window.') 

Mary. She's out of sight, Susan. 

Susan {at c, ivith hands upraised). Then praise be! 
Give me me onions on the roof and a box of parsley in the 
kitchen, and I'll never bother ye's again. 



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